Meles says Ethiopia’s pull out from Somalia conditional

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

November 27, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia’s pull out form Somalia will depend on situation on the ground Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told parliament today.

“Ethiopia will pull out its troops in Somalia when the international community sends demanded Peace keepers to Somalia” Meles said adding “Somalian forces should assure security of Somalia by them selves too.”

However on the current fragile situation, Meles stressed that pulling out will be letting Islamic militants regrouped them selves and let Somalia seat on fire again.

“If Ethiopia’s presence in Somalia is believed to be a disaster then we will pull out and deploy our troops by the border so we will be in a stand by to beat re-grouped Jihadists.”

Though not as needed speed Meles said security of Somalia is improving.

“Currently Ethiopia is engaged in reconciliation of ethnic conflicts and empowering Somalian security forces” Meles added

Meles has called on Somalian Jihadist to lift the holly war (Jihad) they declared against Ethiopia and stop their Jihadist activities

Currently about 1600 Ugandan peace keepers are deployed in Somalia which is far less from the actual 8,000 peace keepers needed.

(ST)